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Any MSI tutorial available?

Hi there,

I am kinda new to MSI specifics, e.g. MSI tables, sequences and CustomAction etc. I intend to learn them from scrach.

However, after going through microsoft MSDN for a couple times, I felt overwhelmed with so many technical terms and got really confused. Is there any tutorial that is suitable for newbies?

Any suggestions would be really appreciated.

Thanks!
systeman

1 Comment   [ + ] Show comment

Answers (15)

Posted by: systeman 13 years ago
Senior Yellow Belt
0
The problem with microsoft MSDN is, they do tell you the right way to go, but with very technical terms and no much examples to interpret...Thanks!
Posted by: RonW 13 years ago
Green Belt
0
One item that helped me when I was brand-new to packaging was an online PDF called "Definitive Guide to Windows Installer Technology". Forget exactly where I found it, but a Google search and a few minutes of poking around should turn it up. It's written from a Wise Packaging Studio perspective, but still has a lot of general MSI-related info that helped me get an understanding of terms and concepts.

Comments:
  • That reference book looks really helpful. I'm just wondering how relevant it'd be today seeing as it was written when Win2k and XP were new. If the basics are the same I'll read it. Thanks. - smf 8 years ago
    • The basiscs are the same and it is still a very relevant book.
      On a side note, this thread is 5 years old and it is generally considered bad form to resurrect an old thread in this way. If you wanted to know how relevant the 'Definitive Guide to Windows Installer Technology' book is now - then you should post a NEW question asking that (you could even link back to this old thread for reference). - dunnpy 8 years ago
Posted by: systeman 13 years ago
Senior Yellow Belt
0
Thanks RonW! I will look into it!
Posted by: timmsie 13 years ago
Fourth Degree Brown Belt
0
Not training as such but there are some good explainations of windows installer principals here:

http://johnmcfadyen.spaces.live.com/

some good stuff here

http://www.installsite.org/
Posted by: systeman 13 years ago
Senior Yellow Belt
0
For those who also feel interests about this book that RonW mentioned, I found relevant download from this post: https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/career-related-question-those-india


PS: thanks timmsie as well, i will look into those two sites.
Posted by: anonymous_9363 13 years ago
Red Belt
0
Dug this link out from somewhere...
Posted by: systeman 13 years ago
Senior Yellow Belt
0
ORIGINAL: VBScab

Dug this link out from somewhere...


Honestly, I feel truly interests about the book "Windows Installer for VB/VBA programmers", but link included on that page doesn't work anymore.

Can anyone help to upload your softcopy or simply direct me where it could be downloaded?

Thank you very much!

systeman
Posted by: anonymous_9363 13 years ago
Posted by: yeah yeah 13 years ago
Senior Yellow Belt
0
lol.
Posted by: systeman 13 years ago
Senior Yellow Belt
0
I did google this book and looked up hundreds of pages before I even posted.

The only useful informaiton is to buy it from ebay. Believe me, I will buy it if ebay is available for me. The problem is I am not in US or Europe, so i am out of their shipping service scope, also ppl here just don't use ebay due to the inconvinence of international payment,shipment and accessibility issues here in Asia.
Posted by: systeman 13 years ago
Senior Yellow Belt
0
Please, if you could, give me some actual help/link rather than pointing me to google.

There are people like me who does NOT live in a developed country with convinence of accessing all resources. Every thread I post, I always google it and only when I couldn't find a satisfying answer I post it here for help,as I believe this is basic skill and manner as a IT professional.

Thanks for the help/answers you ever or will give to me.
Posted by: dunnpy 13 years ago
Red Belt
0
This site:

http://www.installsite.org/pages/en/msi/books.htm

Appears to be saying that the 'VB/VBA Developer's Guide to the Windows Installer' is out of print, so Ebay et al are the only options you have to get hold of a copy.

The site also suggests, as an alternative, 'The Definitivie Guide to Windows Installer' which can be found online here and you will be able to download it from the Realtimepublishers website.

I just read the links provided in this thread and used Google to find all of this information. If you're struggling with your searches try this page.
It's not about living in a developed country - if you have internet access you can find this information wherever you are.

Hope this helps,

Dunnpy
Posted by: systeman 13 years ago
Senior Yellow Belt
0
Thanks dunnpy, i will try the alternative instead.

In fact, I did looked into this page at least once, but I choose to ignore it because I felt more interests about the book since it seems connected VB/VBA w/ windows installer. Since finding this book is hopeless, I think I can try the alternative.

You would know what I mean about "convenience of accessing resources" if you actually live and work here, network is with limited access. from time to time I couldn't even access websites which appears to be useful. e.g. http://bonemanblog.blogspot.com/ or any sites hosting on blogspot.com, and there are lots of more restriction you could never imagine...

Thanks again for this alternative.
systeman
Posted by: anonymous_9363 13 years ago
Red Belt
0
It would perhaps have helped if you had pointed all that out from the beginning. The folks here are generally resourceful but I'm afraid that psychic powers are beyond most of us. :)
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